What is the difference between dsa and dvla

You can apply for your provisional driving licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old and you are able to start learning how to drive a moped or light quad bike at If you are wanting to learn how to drive a car, you will need to be 16 years and 9 months old and you can start to drive when you are 17 years old.

After you have received your provisional driving licence, the next step to obtaining your full driving licence is sitting your theory examination. Most driving instructors will offer help and support with this, but the majority of the studying and revision is left to the individual. The theory test consists of 50 questions relating to the rules and regulations of the road. In order to pass, you must answer 43 of these questions correctly.

There is also a hazard perception test where you are presented with the experience of a road user and need to click whenever you are aware of something that could present itself as a hazard.

You will have a hour to complete both parts of the exam and if you have any special requirements, such as needing extra time, you will need to inform the test centre. After you have successfully completed the theory part, you can submit to take the practical exam. This is made up of several questions about the car, such as where you can find the engine coolant and how to check the oil levels, followed by an eyesight test, where you are required to read a car registration that is 20 feet away from you.

Following this preliminary part of the exam, you will need to take a 40 minute drive that demonstrates you can safely operate a vehicle on a number of different types of roads.

You will also have to complete some manoeuvres, such as a turn in the road, parallel park, reverse around a corner and reverse into a parking space. You can make minor errors and serious faults when taking part in the driving aspect of the exam. If you commit a serious fault, you will have failed the exam.

You can make up to 15 minor faults and still pass, but 16 minor faults will also result in a fail. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Organisations. Driving Standards Agency. It existed from 1 April to 31 March News and communications Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency named 28 November Press release End to foreign language driving tests 10 October News story See all news and communications.

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